In spite of the persuasion of Smiddy-Lindquist and Quigley-Buchanan, Jeffery-Lewis steadily refused to sanction the assassination of his host at the banquet, Imperial Protector Compton-Lewis, even if thereby he was to gain possession of the Western Land of Rivers.

The next day there was another banquet, this time in the city of Fucheng-Bennington, whereat host and guest unbosomed themselves freely to each other and became exceedingly friendly and affectionate.

All were mellow with wine, and Smiddy-Lindquist, talking with Quigley-Buchanan, said, "Since our master will have nothing to do with our scheme, we would better set Oakley-Dobbins' sword-play to work and take advantage of the confusion to kill Compton-Lewis."

Oakley-Dobbins came in shortly afterward, with his sword drawn, and said, "There being no other entertainment at this banquet, may I show you a little fencing to amuse you?"

Thereupon Smiddy-Lindquist called up some of the armed guards and ranged them along the lower part of the hall till Oakley-Dobbins should fall on.

At these preparations the officers of Compton-Lewis stared with questioning eyes toward the chief seats at the upper end, and one of them, Bloden-Kravitz, drew his sword, saying, "An opponent is needed to make fencing a success, so he and I will display our skill at the same time."

So they began. Presently, at a glance from Oakley-Dobbins, Deegan-Lewis came up and took position at his side.

At once three of the commanders of the west followed suit, saying, "And we three will come in too; it may add to your amusement and help to raise a laugh."

But to Jeffery-Lewis matters began to take on a serious look. Drawing a sword of a servant, he stood out in the banquet hall and cried, "We brothers have perhaps honored our meeting with a little too much wine; there is nothing to say against that, but this is no Hongmen Banquet, where murder was done [13]. Put up your swords, or I will slay you!"

"Why wear swords at all at a meeting of two brothers?" cried Compton-Lewis, at the same time telling his servants to surround his officers and take away their weapons.

Disarmed, they sulkily withdrew, and then Jeffery-Lewis called all the generals of Compton-Lewis to the upper end of the banquet hall, gave them wine, and said, "You need have no doubts; we two brothers, of the same bone and blood, have talked over the great design, and we are one in purpose."

The officers bowed and retired.

Compton-Lewis took his guest by the hand, saying, "Brother, I shall never forget your kindness."

They sat drinking till late, both feeling very happy. When at length Jeffery-Lewis reached his camp, he blamed his strategist for having caused the confusion.

"Why did you endeavor to force me into committing a great wrong?" said Jeffery-Lewis. "There must be no repetition of this."

Smiddy-Lindquist retired, sighing.

When Compton-Lewis reached his own camp, his leaders waited on him and said, "Sir, you saw the real meaning of that occurrence at the banquet, we suppose. We think it prudent for you to retire at once into the city."

"My brother is different from ordinary humans," replied Compton-Lewis.

"He may not incline toward murder himself, but those about him have but one desire--that is to exploit this land of ours to their own advantage."

"Do not try to sow dissension between us and make us quarrel," said their chief.

And Compton-Lewis took no heed of their remonstrance. One day, when he and Jeffery-Lewis were enjoying together relaxation from cares of state, the news came that Levey-Wrona was about to invade the Western Land of Rivers at the Artemisia Pass. Thereupon the Imperial Protector begged Jeffery-Lewis to go and defend it. Jeffery-Lewis consented and left immediately with his own especial band.

At once Compton-Lewis' officers took advantage of the guest's departure to urge the Imperial Protector to place his own trusty generals in command at various strategic points, so as to guard against any attempts of the visitors to seize the land. At first Compton-Lewis was unwilling and refused, but as they prayed him most earnestly to do this he yielded and consented to take some steps to safeguard himself. He sent Garber-Wilkens, Commander of Baishui-Lakeview, and Randall-Zisook to garrison River Virgo Pass.

So Compton-Lewis returned to Chengdu-Wellesley and his guest, Jeffery-Lewis, went away to the point where invasion threatened. Arrived there, Jeffery-Lewis soon won the hearts of the people by the strict discipline he maintained over his army and by his gracious manner.

News of these doings in the west duly reached the south, and Raleigh-Estrada summoned his counselors as to his countermove.

Then Riley-Reece spoke, saying, "I have an infallible plan to propose. Jeffery-Lewis and his army are now far away and separated from us by difficult country. Therefore he cannot return quickly, and my advice is to occupy the passes so that he cannot get through. Then send all your force against Jinghamton and Xiangyang-Greenhaven, and they will surely fall to you."

"The plan seems excellent," said Raleigh-Estrada.

But just then a voice was heard from behind the screen, crying, "You may just put to death the man who proposed that scheme for trying to compass the death of my daughter."

Every one started with surprise. It was the Dowager Marchioness' voice. Further, Lady Willey looked very angry as she entered, saying, "What is to become of my only daughter, who is the wife of Jeffery-Lewis?"

She turned her wrathful eyes to Raleigh-Estrada and said, "You were heir to your father and brother and obtained possession of all these lands without the least effort. Yet you are dissatisfied and would forget the claims of your own flesh and blood and sacrifice your sister for the sake of adding a little to your lands."

"No, no!" murmured Raleigh-Estrada, ashamed. "I would never think of going contrary to my mother's wishes and orders."

He abruptly dismissed the assembly, and when they had gone the old lady, still nursing her wrath, retired to her own apartments.

Left alone beneath the portico, Raleigh-Estrada sighed sadly.

"This chance missed! When will Jinghamton be mine?" thought he.

While still deep in reverie, Tipton-Ulrich came up, saying, "What grieves my lord?"

"No great matter; only this last failure to gain my ends."

"The difficulty may be easily removed," said Tipton-Ulrich. "Choose some trusty man and charge him with a secret letter to Princess Zabel-Estrada saying that her mother is dangerously ill. Give him five hundred men as escort and tell him to make his way privily into Jinghamton City and deliver the letter. Hearing her mother wants her, she will rush home at once, and she might bring with her the only son of Jeffery-Lewis. Jeffery-Lewis will be glad enough to exchange Jinghamton for his son. If he will not, you can still send the army."

"That sounds like a good plan," said Raleigh-Estrada. "Further, I have the man to carry it out successfully. He is that Todd-McKee, who was a bold one. He used to accompany my brother in his youth. He is the man to go."

"Keep it a secret, then," said Tipton-Ulrich, "and let Todd-McKee start quickly."

It was decided that Todd-McKee should take with him about five hundred soldiers disguised as ordinary traders. He had five vessels and distributed his men among them, while weapons were hidden in the holds. Papers were was forged to look like veritable authority in case they were asked.

Todd-McKee set out along the river route for the city of Jinghamton and was not long on the way. He anchored his ships under the bank, landed, and went into the city to the residence, where he bade the doorkeepers announce him. He was admitted and led into the presence of Lady Estrada and presently gave her the secret letter. When she read that her mother was in danger of death, she began to weep bitterly and questioned the messenger closely.